Authorities push hunt for suspected child predator

San Diego 
Authorities released new photos Thursday of a fugitive suspected in multiple cases of child molestation involving dozens of young victims abused over the last 20 years in northern San Diego County and Riverside County.

“He is the most wanted child predator in the U.S. right now,” said Supervisor Deputy U.S. Marshal Steve Jurman.

Frederick Cecil McLean, 57, has been on the run since a warrant was issued for his arrest in January 2005 when he was charged in San Diego Superior Court with four counts of child molestation and one count of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, Jurman said.

One person, who is now an adult, told authorities that McLean assaulted her more than 100 times for seven years beginning when she was 5 years old.

McLean used his position as a respected member of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization to gain people's trust, Jurman said. Several of his victims were daughters of people involved in the church, he said.

An avid outdoorsman, McLean liked to go camping in remote areas, and he often took children with him, Jurman said. He frequented the Anza-Borrego desert and the Cuyamaca mountain area. McLean is white, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He may have changed his appearance, Jurman said.

He also had used the aliases Frederick McClean, Rick McClean and Frederick McLain.

McLean once owned a business that customized and restored race cars and other vehicles, and he is probably still making a living in the auto industry, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Authorities consider McLean to be armed and dangerous. He has stated that he would rather die than go to jail.

Authorities also believe he is most likely still molesting children.

“We are almost certain that he is out there seeking new victims,” Jurman said.

McLean is listed on the U.S. Marshals Service's Web site as one of the 15 most wanted people in the country. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to call U.S. Marshals headquarters at (800) 336-0102 or go to usmarshals.gov.